Blue Gourami Changing Colors??

[Fishy3]

One of my Blue Gourami's a getting a darker shade of Blue and his/her lines are more noticeable. Does this mean that it is spawning or what does it mean? Should I be worried?

Also My other Blue Gourami has been nesting next to the gravel on the bottom, it eats the flake food fine. There is not sign of nipping on the fin, and there is no sign of ich. What do you think is wrong??

TIA
Amy

[Kit Walker]

It is normal behaviour for a fish to change colours according to their mood. When stressed or under intense light they will fade. When content, in dark surroundings, or displaying they will show intense colour. There will also be a marked change in colouration of juvenile male cichlids as they mature.

[Fishy3]

Well this one is darker then it was yesterday.

What does that mean?

[Lazonby]

My roommate kept 2 blue gouramis, one male, the other female (it wasn't planned that way). When the male matured, he would turn very dark blue, almost black, and chase his lady friend all over the tank. Unfortunately, the female died of unknown causes (I think it was from constipation). My roommate contests that he was depressed for several weeks afterwards, maintaining a pale blue color while "sitting" in a corner during that time. It was kind of sad really!

I now keep the male in my cichlid tank, and he has been in there for quite some time now. I've never seen him turn that dark since his partner passed away.